Pelling

Photos

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Best time to go

Sights and activities

Getting there

By bus

An SNT bus leaves Siliguri around 10:30am for Pelling (about Rs 180 to 225). Shared jeeps run from Siliguri to Geyzing or Jorethang, mostly before 2pm, then local shared taxis go up to Pelling. Shared jeeps from Gangtok to Geyzing leave around 7am, 12 noon and 1pm.

By train

Pelling has no railway station. The nearest major station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) near Siliguri, about 135 to 140 km away, roughly 4 to 5.5 hours by road.

By air

The nearest airport is Bagdogra (IXB) near Siliguri, about 130 to 140 km away, roughly 4 to 5.5 hours by taxi. There are no shared taxis or buses from the airport itself.

Where to base yourself

Upper Pelling has the best mountain views, while Lower Pelling is closer to the market and taxi stand.

Getting around

• Shared taxis link Geyzing (Gyalshing), about 9 to 10 km below, with Pelling for about Rs 20 to 80 per person; a private drop costs about Rs 200.
• A full-day sightseeing tour in a small hired taxi costs about Rs 1,600 to 3,800 depending on the season and the source; larger 6 to 8 seat vehicles cost more.
• Shared half-day sightseeing taxis usually start at 6 or 7am and finish by about 2pm.
• Local sightseeing must be done in a Sikkim-registered vehicle, and trips to Yuksom cost extra.
• Pemayangtse and Rabdentse can be reached on foot from Pelling; the uphill return is tiring, so many people take a taxi back.

Often combined with

Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.

• Darjeeling: Road, about 4 to 5 hours, about 65 km by road. See the Darjeeling and Sikkim trip
• Gangtok: Road, about 4 to 5 hours, about 120 km by road. See the Darjeeling and Sikkim trip

Where to stay

Food

Most eating happens in hotel restaurants and small multi-cuisine places in Upper and Middle Pelling serving Indian, Chinese and Tibetan food. A meal for two at a simple local restaurant costs about Rs 300 to 500. Some places cook Sikkimese dishes on advance order, and roadside stalls at Rimbi sell tea, pakoras and fried fish.

Try these

• Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup)
• Momos (steamed dumplings)
• Phagshapa (pork with radish and chilli)
• Sel roti with aloo achar (ring-shaped rice bread with spicy potato)
• Gundruk soup (soup of fermented leafy greens)
• Tongba (millet beer served in bamboo)

Vegetarian food is easy to find, and at least one hotel restaurant in Upper Pelling is purely vegetarian.

Daily costs

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

Indian citizens need no permit for Pelling, only a valid photo ID such as Aadhaar, voter ID or a driving licence. Foreign nationals need a Sikkim permit, available at the Rangpo or Melli checkposts, at Bagdogra airport or online; areas north of Pelling on the Goecha La trek route need extra permits.

Safety

By day

Pelling is a calm, small tourist town and is generally considered safe by day. Watch for leeches on forest walks such as Rabdentse in the wet months.

At night

There is little or no street lighting, so avoid long walks after dark and stay in well-known hotels.

Solo women

Sikkim is described as one of India's safer states for women travellers; usual care is advised, especially after dark.

Roads

The road from Siliguri is narrow and winding, with landslides and road closures common in the monsoon. Many drivers avoid the route after about 4pm, so plan to arrive in daylight.

Emergency numbers

112 (all emergencies), District Hospital Gyalshing: 03595-250634

Practical

Mobile network

Airtel and Jio are both reported to work, but coverage is patchy and sources disagree on which is better; Vi has little or no coverage.

ATMs and cash

Pelling is reported to have only one SBI ATM; Gyalshing town, about 10 km away, has banks. Carry enough cash, since budget hotels often prefer cash.

Fuel

There are several petrol pumps in and around town. Fill up in Siliguri, Jorethang or Gyalshing before heading up.

Medical

District Hospital Gyalshing, about 10 km away, is the nearest government hospital (phone 03595-250634).

Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem

Accessibility

Seniors

Pelling suits older travellers who use taxis, but the Sky Walk stairs (about 137 steps to the statue) and the uphill walk to Sangachoeling are tiring. The altitude is above 2,000 m, so drink extra water.

Children

Good for families. On the Sky Walk glass section, small children should be carried or held by the hand.

Wheelchair users

The town is hilly with steep slopes and stairs at most sights, so access is likely to be difficult.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

• Remove footwear at the Khecheopalri Lake pavilion and do not throw coins or food into the sacred lake.
• Photography is not allowed in the top-floor chamber of Pemayangtse Monastery; ask before taking pictures inside any monastery.
• Only men may enter the interior of Sangachoeling Monastery, and its inner sanctum is limited to local Bhutia and Lepcha people.
• Drones are banned at the Sky Walk.
• Walk clockwise around monasteries and prayer wheels, dress modestly and carry your rubbish back with you.

What to pack

• Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
• Printed copies of your permit, with a few passport-size photos
• Proper winter wear: a heavy jacket, thermals, gloves and a cap
• Clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and socks for hot stone floors where shoes come off. Some temples do not allow phones or bags, so carry little
• Enough cash for the whole stay, a power bank and offline maps
• Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

Multi-stop trips that include Pelling

• Darjeeling and Sikkim, 7 nights